WMATA takes a "spring break" from track work for Cherry Blossom season

The Washington Metropolitan Transportation Authority will take a break from its aggressive schedule of trackwork and rebuilding to accommodate customers traveling during Cherry Blossom season.

Specifically, the break from trackwork includes:

• Beginning Saturday, March 24, there will be no scheduled weekend trackwork on the Metrorail system through Sunday, April 15. Weekend trackwork will resume at 10 p.m. Friday, April 20. • On weekdays, scheduled midday trackwork will be suspended between Monday, March 26, and Friday, April 13. • During Cherry Blossom season, all scheduled track work will take place after 10 p.m.

"Metro is the preferred travel choice for hundreds of thousands of visitors to the Tidal Basin each spring," said General Manager and CEO Richard Sarles. "To ensure a seamless travel experience, we will take a short hiatus from our aggressive rebuilding efforts."

On average, WMATA ridership increases by more than 15 percent during Cherry Blossom season and weekend ridership can double to near-weekday levels if the weather is nice.